Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1887-07-27

MY TlRhhINl nsNflc was DOTCHS Oalcuon,
but until had attained womanhood was
known ~ DOrcis Lynn. My first name,
however, was my only rightful legacy, for l
was founding, picked up on the steps Of the
b foandling asylum ono bitter winter
night, evidently deserted by those who
AhOud have cared for mo. Tho matron,
Mrs. Lynn, Of course took mo In ana kindly
cared for mo; pgrhaps the fact that she hal
u few days before lost her own lit;!c dLugh-
Tor, made her more tender 20 tho little waif
isft 10 her mcrcies. As near ns eho could
Judge froIa my sizo anl appearance l must
have been six months old when was left at
Tho asylum. The person or persons who had
Ihacod iue thcrc had evidently uotintcnded
that should prish from the cold, for was
warmly wrapped end gOodly supply OF
clothing WINS also in tho basket beside nc
but no clcw was left - tell from whence
came; or,y the simple name Dcrcas upon
variOus pieces Of linen til that hid cvi-
IDENTITY boon tlIa recipient Of U mother $ care
AZ some timc.
Accordingly I was adopted by Mrs. Lynn,
and In absence Of any other namc she kind
~ gave me hers. aud as DJrca5 I.yun l was
known honccforth. I grew and thrivCd
Under her caro- worry we'll; but when / was
RlvCn years oil Ey foster mother died and
again was aleno.
10 was thea decided by tho managers 10
i-unsfcr no TO tic Orphans Home In n
distant pirt Of the State. or my journey
there / remember nothing, being too
badly frightened 20 rcCouoCt what hap
rcnCd. IL Was only v'cn received ~ the
kind arms Of ono 81 tL1 teachers and listen
ing 10 hsr soft, soothing voiro, that l again
realized that had friend in tho world,
sincc kind Mrs. Lynn l.'d died
l. 4
b. those whose tr;y a. is 20 caro- Z r US,
fllly testify TO oar gratitude for the kind
services rendered "a by these sisters Of
mercy. Such haven OF refuge 20 the little
waits whom poverty and brutality have
made dcpcndcntl
NJ tho Homo every thing WINS carried on
With tho greatest nicely and regularity Of
arrangement We were compelled 70 obey
tho rules " tho letter, but tLcsc, though
strirt, were not unnecessarily rigorous or
unhdnti. Our teachers were firm, but ever
pleasant % us And, on tho whole, we were
"a morry n set OF children Cs ono would
wish % sCo.
There arc 20 many different grades OF
children hero brought into immediate con-
tsct, that the greatest care must DO eXcr-
cised that Partially Is not shown To some
Of the moro attractive n thing which l will
Some o. the children are quiet soft
spoken, with bright faces and dainty ways,
That would do credit n any OF the pctted
darl!ngs who parade Fifth avCnro in silks
and clmnc, aud. no doukt, arc Of good birth.
but also, there arc loud, brutal-loolSing
children, whose low forchcads nnd wide
months, togothor with rough, unpublished
nanucr, show the plCbiau blood OF tho lower
clnssos. Others arc wan, shallow children,
ighCrting, no doubt, the traits OF weak,
tilly mother, or Tie dissipatod tastes OF the
f4thCr. Aud 20 on; all classes, grades Mul
kinds mixed together in one prUrniscuous
LSap yet presenting, under tho watchful,
eXuctiuy eye Of the manager, u very re
Specialize whole.
Tho rca1cr will no Doubt DO curious to
know 20 which Of these classes 1 belonged,
CJ,d that question / often asked myself
yot / never fully determined, for the rea-
son that did not seem 70 belong 20 any in
particulars In fact WAS n quiet shrinking
child, never going forward but rather wait
Tag W SOC what others did. This fault, for
such ] designate N, might, had been sub
l,ctcd TO some kinds Of companionsh'p have
Id me into trouble; but had n grave con-
adontious sense OF duty, which in one so
Young made mo appear unusually silent and
thoughtful mover seemed 10 be At homo
quito as tho others did. l rarely ever
rompcd or played as they did, but / early
developed love for books aud received
much praise for my aptnoss In my studies.
had many friends among my p'aymAtes
and tcachors, md 50 my life passed quietly
and calmly until was ten years old